UK Visa Application: How to Apply

Updated: 8 August 2018

This information applies to the UK visitor visa. You can find more information about the business, study, work, and diplomatic visas, and information about immigration to the UK on the GOV.UK website

If you are planning to travel to the United Kingdom for education, tourism, business, or to live and work, and you do not know how to get your visa, do not worry any longer. We have put together this detailed guide to the UK visa application that will make your visa application a lot easier.

london nightlife

Before you can begin the application process you will need to familiarise yourself with the different types of visas so you choose the right one and ensure you have an international passport that is valid for at least 1 month after your intended stay in the United Kingdom. You can easily apply for your passport online or at the nearest immigration office in any state in Nigeria.

Note: the ECOWAS passport is not a valid travel document if you are applying for a UK visa.

Please check your eligibility before beginning the application process and submitting your application well in advance of flight departure. Once you have your visa, all that’s left to do is pack your bags!

london eye

Which UK Visa do I Need?

The most common UK visa is the Standard Visitor Visa (Tourist Visa). The Visitor Visa is issued for a short stay of up to 6 months. This visa will allow you to visit friends and loved ones, go on a holiday or vacation, study, conduct business, attend conferences and training programmes, or transit through the country (if you will be staying for more than 48 hours).

The Standard Visitor Visa has replaced the Family Visitor / General Visitor / Child Visitor / Business Visitor / Sports Visitor / Entertainer Visitor / Prospective Entrepreneur visa.

Find detailed information about the Standard Visitor Visa.

uk travel

UK Visa Requirements

  • A valid international passport with a page that is blank on both sides
  • Completed visa application form (this is filled in online)
  • One passport photograph that meets the requirements
  • Visa fee
  • Proof of finances (e.g. original bank statement that is not older than 3 months)
  • Confirmation of accommodation and flight bookings
  • A letter of invitation if you are being sponsored by a friend or family member
  • Original marriage certificate if you are travelling with your spouse
  • Birth certificates for your children if you are travelling together
  • Recent utility bills
  • If you are travelling for business you will need to include: a letter of invitation/confirmation of training/confirmation of conference; and full details for an authorised representative from your company and their contact details.

Note: A consistent income of about ₦200,000 and above is considered a safe amount. Anything less and the embassy may find it hard to trust that you will return to Nigeria.

You can also include supporting documents to strengthen your application.

the shard london

How to Apply for UK Visa

Step 1: Register a user account on the GOV.UK website. You will also be able to double check what type of visa you will need for your trip on the website.

Step 2: Fill out the application form, pay the visa fee, and book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (see below). You will receive an email confirming your appointment and what documents you will need to take along. You will also be given a GWF number which you will need for the next step.

Step 3: Register your details on the TLScontact website. If you don’t register, you will not be allowed to attend your appointment. You can track your application on the TLScontact website after you have registered.

Step 4: Attend your appointment and submit your biometrics at a UK Visa Application Centre. To avoid any delays in the application process you should bring along the following:

  • Your original passport
  • Printed copies of your online application form and appointment confirmation
  • Receipt of payment of visa fees
  • All the required documents as stated above
  • Supporting documents

Important: Your visa fee will no longer be refundable after you have submitted your biometrics. You must also ensure you are not late for your appointment. If you are late, your application process may be delayed as you will have to rebook your appointment.

Step 5: Wait for your visa application to be processed. You will be able to track your visa application on the TLScontact website.

Step 6: Collect your passport at the specified Visa Application Centre. You will be notified when it is ready for collection.

According to TLScontact, “Children under 5 years old are now required to attend the Visa Application Centre in order for them to have their photo taken at the centre. Please note that minors are not allowed to submit applications by themselves, they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.”

london visa

UK Visa Fees

The cost of a Standard Visitor Visa is currently about ₦45,000 ($125). The UK visa fees are different for each visa category. These can be found on the GOV.UK website.

UK Visa Application Submission

UK visa applications can be submitted at one of the Visa Application Centres in Lagos or Abuja from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 and 16:30, except on public holidays.

The earliest you can apply for a UK visa is 3 months before your intended departure date.

UK Visa Processing

Visa application processing can take four to six working days. However, some visa applications can take up to 30 days if documents are missing or they require special attention because of crime or a history of rejection.

shopping london

UK Visa Collection

You will be able to collect your passport and visa between 10:00 and 16:00 from Monday to Friday (except public holidays). You will be alerted through an SMS when your application has been sent to the UK Embassy on the submission day, and you will be alerted when your passport arrives back at the UK Application Centre and is ready for collection.

You will need to bring copies of your application documents, an original photographic ID, and a copy of the biodata page in your passport.

Note: Someone else cannot collect your documents on your behalf, except if you are a government representative, a parent collecting for your child or children, or you are collecting on behalf of your family if you applied together.

camden uk

UK Visa Rejection

The most common reasons for UK visas being rejected are:

  • Submitting false documents
  • The applicant has received a deportation order
  • The applicant was found guilty of a crime that warrants four years or more of jail time
  • Withholding documentation of a criminal background
  • Insufficient funds
  • Overstaying a previous visit to the United Kingdom
  • Submitting fraudulent documents on a previous trip to the United Kingdom
  • Not complying with all the application requirements
  • Lack of a valid passport or travel documents
  • Invalid reason for wanting to visit the United Kingdom

Using a visa service is recommended if you are unsure about the process and requirements. It will cost extra but will give you peace of mind that everything is in order.

You will not be refunded if you miss your appointment or your visa application is rejected.

london travel

UK Visa Application Centre Addresses

UK Visa Application Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos
First Floor, Churchgate Building, Tower 2,

Churchgate Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

Website: TLScontact Victoria Island, Lagos

UK Visa Application Centre in Ikeja, Lagos
Ground & First Floors, Etiebets Place,

21 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way

Website: TLScontact Lagos

UK Visa Application Centre, Abuja.
Third floor, El-Yakub Building (beside Metro Plaza), Plot 1129

Zakariya Maimalari Street, Central Business District

Website: TLScontact Abuja

British Deputy High Commission, Lagos
11 Walter Carrington Crescent

British High Commission, Abuja
Plot 1137, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District

Have you travelled to the United Kingdom? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below. And sign up for our newsletter for exclusive access to the latest flight deals and travel articles.

uk visa application

All information on this page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart will not be held liable for loss or inconvenience resulting from the use of information from this website.

Travelstart does not provide advice or assist with processing visas. The content of this article is listed as recommended by research and the UK embassy. Kindly check the embassy’s website BEFORE applying for your visa.

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485 thoughts on “UK Visa Application: How to Apply

  1. Sis kemi,kindly tell me the meaning of building society document to be submitted while applying for visiting or tourist visa .Thks

    • Bank statement

    • Hi, compliment of season. Please what’s the current rate for uk ( 5 ) five years visa renewal, please do reply me
      Thanks.

  2. Please kindly help,I am a frequent traveller to the UK since 2000,my last last 5yrs visa to the UK i did not use at all,i have also done my biometrics,i which to apply now for visa because i will like to go this summer,can you help me with the process i will follow to achieve that now as i am in lagos

  3. Am 17yrs old boy……I have relative in uk that want to invite me…..can I travel alone?without accompained with anybody to uk?

    • You must be 18 yrs before such person can invite you or else you go through someone or go through student ….

  4. i wanna migrate to uk…i need a guidian to help me out

  5. Pls, am planning to travel to UK for a short stay to visit my wife. After providing the required documents, do i still need to pay the 750 NGN.

  6. Please, we are family of five, my three children, my husband and I, wish to spend our vacation in UK, how many forms do we need to fill, and how much will the visa fee for five of us cost?

  7. Exactly how much is the u.k visa fees and how much is the visa fees for 2years renewal ?

  8. Please leave your comment…pls aunty Kemi, I will be submitting my application next month. I will like to know the visa fee for the visitors visa. Cos am hearing different amount from agents. Thanks and God bless

    • Pls I need info, on how much it ll cost to acquire d whole required document, including work permit or green card.. Cos I wish to migrate there for work..

  9. @Keemite……….please do you also help people get visa….cos i really wanna travel next year February.??

    • Hi Samuel, we don’t process visa, we can only guide you through your application process.

  10. kindly furnish me address that the letter of introduction and letter of invitation will be directed to. in order words, the embassy officer and address these letter will be addressed.

    Thank You.

    • Please leave your comment…pls my grandma invited me to uk for holidays and I ave all my necessary document with me, but I avent fill my visa form is it done online alone ? Or can I aso print it out fill it and submit to the embassy and my letter of introduction who am I to address it to

  11. Please how much will cost an agent to process all this with work and residence permit.

  12. Pls I want to apply for 2 years visa to UK. 2 adults and 2 kids I was told 500+. How true it? Cos I felt the fee for kids and adult should be different. Kindly enlighten me.

  13. Please I want to go and join and live with my wife in the uk. Which aspect of IELTS test I should do. Is it daily life or consortium category.

    • Hello Bros. The English test you should sit is IELTS general.

      Will only take you a month to prepare.

      There is IELTS academic for those who want to study in Britain.

      Peace!

  14. Please leave your comment…My fiancy is in uk and she want me to join her,how can i go about it?

  15. I just want to have some information regarding visa for my spouse .
    Im British national and my wife is Pakistani national we are Living in Republic of Ireland.
    Does she need a visa to come to uk with me
    For holidays.

    Regards
    Imran Butt

  16. Please when is the next lottery form will be available

  17. @ Ayodeji, if u are submitting @ ikeja d visa fee is higher dan d 1 @ V.I and it wil determine d months or Years u are appying for. @ ikeja nw, apart from the visa fee dey are also charging for user pay. and also is after u av fill d form u can nw pay, payment is made online nt cash or bank transaction like America. so watch b4 giving out ur money to people. @2b5725bc

  18. Please am a Nigerian but my girlfriend is a brits and she’s planning to come over before the year runs out then we going together, but before she comes to nigeria I need to have my vissa ready…

    So please how much is it presently for working visa because am going there to stay and work…

    Tanx alot.. expecting ya reppply

  19. I have submitted my UK application online successfully but would love to change some detailed important information. how do i go about it. please your urgent kind advice is needed. thanks

  20. The site http://www.ge2ng.tpcontact.co.uk/register for registering details on Teleperformance website is not working. It gives “Gateway Timeout” error.

    I have tried many times without success – same error message.

    What is the alternative as it is a requirement to be able to attend the appointment for Biometrics?

  21. Uk VISA APPLICATION SUBMITTED ON 24 JUNE 2015. WHEN WILL THE VISA COMING OUT? IS A VISTORS VISA

  22. if you need a visa to travel to united kingdom gmail us @bigyrussia101

  23. Please aunty Kemi I need more advice from you about UK

  24. How long does it take to process British visa for tourism

  25. How long does take to process tourism visa for london

  26. Hello Oluwakemi Ojo, AM about to apply for uk vacation visa, Do I need to submit a bank statement and payslip together. Or any one of them is enough?

  27. Pls I have issue with online payment. My bank told me my card is OK. Also what is billing address?

  28. Great job. Pls What is billing address?

    • The address registered on your card is your billing address. Which should be the same as the address registered on your account

  29. Please i need this visa how long will it take

  30. Please leave your comment…my uncle just give me an invitation to come and visit him.he is into show biz,he is organinizing an event, that he brings all the sons and daughter of our state in Nigeria that are in UK together.what and what will they require from me at the embassy. pls i need urgent answer.thanks for your anticipation

  31. how can i get the form,how much will it cost me for the family of 2 with minor.thanks

  32. I have completed and submitted applicant and declaration forms for myself, wife and kids, but the visa payment is not going through. I tried severally to pay for the visa but the payment was unsuccessful, sometime it displayed “Sorry, your order is no longer payable, please contact the merchant quoting the reference # GWF………
    Please advice me on what to do to enable book appointment and pay for the visas.

  33. PLEASE CAN I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION, MAKE PAYMENT SAME DAY AND BOOK APPOINTMENT FOR THE BIOMETRIC WITHIN THE NEXT THREE DAYS?

  34. Good day,pls If I want to go and visit my brother there,how can I do the processing.

  35. Please leave your comment…pls my grandma invited me to uk for holidays and I ave all my necessary document with me, but I avent fill my visa form is it done online alone ? Or can I aso print it out fill it and submit to the embassy and my letter of introduction who am I to address it to

    • Please leave your comment…how long does it take to get UK visit visa

  36. please my 5 years uk visas just expired.how much for 5 years renewal now.thanks

    • you ve to re apply and do another processing

  37. Can I go alone without knowing anyone there?

  38. I have been offered admission to study in uk. How much would it cost me to get visa.

    • Depending on the school payment and the visa processing

  39. Nigerian!! haba, una too dey ask annoying questions. after all the explanations on the web page, people still asking crazy and annoying questions, kai!

  40. I wanna go and meet my gf there,I don’t have enough money on me I need a sponsor.God bless u all

  41. Sir, am currently working with Department of state security service based in zamfara state command apply for UK visa but you were denied to upper me a visitor visa with intention to go and spend 10 days out of my annual leave and also my uncle promised to sponsor

  42. Please leave your comment…i wish 2 go 2 uk bt i need know some procedures nd payment before i emerge on it. Pls reply me urgently.

  43. please am planning on traveling to visit my girlfriend in UK so I really like to know how much it cost to apply for UK visa and the necessary documents require here in Nigeria

  44. please ma’am i want to know if the teleperformance charge is compulsry

  45. I said I want to travel to uk to visit a friend and also wrk pls put me tru d procedure

  46. Pls how much is 6 month uk visa

  47. Please leave your comments:, my name is Constance,I want to deliver my baby in London, what are the requirements for me to get visa to travel this year?

  48. Good day!
    My last visit to the UK was in October 2015 and my 5-year Visa has just been expired.
    My question is this: How does my last visit to the UK affect my Visa application this year?
    Regards.

  49. i have a relative in the uk and i want to move ova dere,pls what are the process and how much will it cost me.

  50. Please leave your comment…I want to work dear for some years

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